Coral reefs are complex and productive ecosystems that encompass the highest biodiversity of any marine ecosystem. To date, we have lost most of the global coral-reef system worldwide due to overfishing, coastal development, sedimentation, marine-based pollution and climate change. This has resulted in the loss of valuable ecosystem services to the livelihoods of millions of people. Designation of no-take Marine Protected Areas (MPA) is one tool to bolster coral reef recovery. Although there is evidence of natural recovery, it has taken almost 20 years to see coral cover at pre-1998 levels. Threats continue and MPAs might not be enough to assist in the recovery of coral reefs. Consequently, more actions are need to promote reef recovery or build reef resilience. Here, I show how “coral gardening” can become a complementary tool which can help MPA managers in meeting coral reef conservation needs